Noah Vinter
Alcohol is a leading preventable cause of death among young adults worldwide. In the United States, excessive alcohol use leads to approximately 178,000 deaths annually, with a notable increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. While alcohol-related deaths predominantly affect adults over 35, about 4,000 young people under 21 die each year from alcohol-related causes. Globally, 2.6 million deaths were linked to alcohol consumption in 2019, with 2 million occurring among men. Young people aged 20-39 experienced the highest proportion of alcohol-attributable deaths, emphasizing the vulnerability of this age group to the harmful effects of alcohol.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of young adults who die from alcohol each year | 4,000 (under 21) |
| Percentage of alcohol-attributable deaths among young adults | 13% (20-39 years) |
| Total number of deaths attributable to alcohol abuse each year | 97,000-100,000 |
| Number of male deaths attributable to alcohol abuse each year | 68,000-100,000 |
| Number of female deaths attributable to alcohol abuse each year | 59,000 |
| Number of deaths attributable to long-term alcohol abuse each year | 47,500-53.7% |
| Number of deaths attributable to alcoholic liver disease each year | 18,164-19.1% |
| Number of deaths attributable to hypertension caused by alcohol abuse each year | 3,584 |
| Number of drunk driving fatalities under the age of 21 | 980 |
| Number of states with double-digit alcohol-related death rates in 2019 | 30 |
| Number of states with double-digit alcohol-related death rates in 2006 | 10 |
| Number of Americans who will develop Alcohol Use Disorder | 6.7% |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol-related deaths among young adults in the US
Alcohol is a leading preventable cause of death in the United States, with about 178,000 people dying from excessive drinking each year. This figure includes both deaths from long-term alcohol abuse and those from drinking too much on one occasion. Binge drinking is the most common way that people drink alcohol excessively.
Young people are disproportionately affected by alcohol consumption. In 2019, the highest proportion (13%) of alcohol-attributable deaths occurred among those aged 20–39. In the US, the number of alcohol-related deaths among young people (under 21) is about 4,000 each year. However, it is important to note that the death rate among young adults aged 18–24 has decreased since 2006.
In addition to the direct health impacts, alcohol consumption can lead to social problems for young adults, including family issues, problems at work, financial difficulties, and unemployment. Alcohol is also a significant factor in homicides, with nearly 40% of victims drinking before they died, and 28% of overall driving fatalities attributable to drunk driving.
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Alcohol as a leading cause of death
Alcohol is a leading cause of death worldwide, with 2.6 million deaths attributable to alcohol consumption in 2019, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This figure rose to over 3 million when combined with drug-related deaths. Alcohol is the number one substance linked to homicides, with intoxicated adults responsible for 150 child deaths each year. In the US, alcohol-related deaths have increased across all age groups, with approximately 178,000 deaths attributable to excessive alcohol use annually. This makes alcohol one of the leading preventable causes of death in the country.
Young people are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of alcohol, with the highest proportion (13%) of alcohol-attributable deaths in 2019 occurring in individuals aged 20-39. This age group is disproportionately affected by alcohol consumption, and the number of deaths in this demographic has been increasing. In the US, alcohol-related deaths among those aged 16 and older rose by 25.5% from 2019 to 2020, during the initial year of the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend continued in 2021, with a further increase of 9.9%. While there was a slight decrease in 2022, the number of alcohol-related deaths remains concerning.
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a significant issue, affecting an estimated 400 million people globally, with 209 million of those individuals living with alcohol dependence. In the US, 6.7% of adults will develop AUD, and it is more prevalent among females aged 12 to 17, who are 61.5% more likely to have AUD than their male peers. AUD can lead to social problems, including family issues, difficulties at work, financial troubles, and unemployment. It is also a major contributor to homicides, with 48% of convicted murderers under the influence of alcohol when they committed the crime.
The health consequences of excessive alcohol consumption are severe and wide-ranging. Alcoholic liver disease is the leading cause of alcohol-related deaths, followed by heart disease and stroke. Alcohol is also a contributing factor in various cancers and mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Binge drinking is the most common way that people drink alcohol excessively, and it significantly increases the risk of numerous health conditions and associated mortality.
To address the harmful effects of alcohol, effective interventions and treatments for alcohol use disorder are necessary. The WHO has implemented the Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030, aiming to reduce alcohol-related harms worldwide. Additionally, it is important for individuals to be aware of the risks associated with alcohol consumption and to take steps to protect themselves and others from excessive alcohol use. By addressing this global health issue, we can work towards reducing the number of alcohol-related deaths and improving overall health and quality of life.
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Alcohol-related deaths worldwide
Alcohol consumption is a causal factor in more than 200 diseases, injuries, and other health conditions. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, there were 2.6 million deaths attributable to alcohol consumption worldwide in 2019, accounting for 4.7% of all deaths. Of these, 1.6 million were from noncommunicable diseases, 700,000 from injuries, and 300,000 from communicable diseases. The highest levels of alcohol-related deaths per 100,000 people were observed in the WHO European and African Regions, with 52.9 and 52.2 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively.
Young people aged 20–39 are disproportionately affected by alcohol consumption, with the highest proportion (13%) of alcohol-attributable deaths occurring within this age group in 2019. This is evident in the United States, where alcohol-related deaths among people aged 16 and older rose by 25.5% from 2019 to 2020, during the initial year of the COVID-19 pandemic. From 2016–2017 to 2020–2021, the average annual number of deaths from excessive alcohol use in the US increased by 29%, from 138,000 to 178,000. This increase is attributed to various factors, including the widespread availability of alcohol, rising mental health issues, and difficulties in accessing healthcare.
To address the harmful effects of alcohol, the WHO has developed the Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022–2030, which aims to strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse. The plan focuses on implementing the SAFER package, which includes improving access to screening, brief intervention, and treatment for hazardous alcohol use and alcohol use disorder. Additionally, the plan emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about the risks associated with alcohol consumption and encouraging individual protective measures.
While there has been a global decrease in per capita alcohol consumption, with a reduction of 0.2 litres from 5.7 litres in 2010 to 5.5 litres in 2019, alcohol-related deaths remain a significant concern. The high number of deaths, particularly among young people, underscores the necessity of continued efforts to reduce the harmful use of alcohol and to promote interventions and treatments that address alcohol use disorders.
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Alcohol-attributable deaths in 2019
Alcohol is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide. In 2019, 2.6 million deaths were attributable to alcohol consumption, with 2 million of these deaths among men and 0.6 million among women. The highest levels of alcohol-related deaths per 100,000 persons were observed in the WHO European and African Regions, with 52.9 and 52.2 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively. People aged 20-39 are disproportionately affected by alcohol consumption, with the highest proportion (13%) of alcohol-attributable deaths occurring within this age group in 2019.
In the United States, alcohol-related deaths have been increasing over the past two decades, with a notable rise from 2019 to 2020 attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. An analysis of death certificates showed that deaths involving alcohol among people ages 16 and older increased by 25.5% from 2019 to 2020, the first year of the pandemic. From 2018-2019, the average annual number of deaths from excessive alcohol use in the US increased by 22.8% to 178,307 during 2020-2021, with an overall increase of 29.3% from 2016-2017.
The leading causes of alcohol-attributable deaths due to chronic conditions in the US from 2015 to 2019 were liver diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers of various types. Alcohol consumption is found to play a causal role in more than 200 diseases, injuries, and other health conditions. Even low levels of alcohol consumption carry risks and can cause harm, and most alcohol-related harms come from heavy episodic or continuous drinking.
At the state level, several states in the US have seen increases in the 5-year average annual rate of excessive alcohol deaths per capita from 2015 to 2019. For example, Alabama, with an average of 2,208 annual deaths attributable to excessive alcohol use, saw an increase of 44.8% in this rate from 2015 to 2019. Similarly, Alaska, with an average of 433 annual deaths, experienced a 45% increase during the same period.
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Alcohol-related deaths by state
Alcohol misuse is a significant public health concern in the United States, contributing to a substantial number of deaths each year. While the overall statistics on alcohol-related deaths are concerning, the impact on young adults is particularly alarming.
According to a 2018 study, there has been a steady rise in the rate of young Americans dying from alcohol-related liver disease, including liver cancer and cirrhosis. This trend is not limited to a specific age group within the youth demographic. Research presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in 2025 revealed that young adults aged 25 to 44 experienced the highest yearly increase in deaths from alcohol-associated hepatitis between 1999 and 2022.
Driving under the influence (DUI) is another major cause of alcohol-related fatalities. While DUI arrests and laws vary across states, the impact of impaired driving is undeniable. Wyoming, South Carolina, and North Dakota have the highest rates of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities per 100,000 people, while New Jersey, Minnesota, New York, and Utah have the lowest rates.
Recent studies have also highlighted the gender dimension of alcohol-related deaths. Alcohol-related liver disease deaths are rising sharply among women, with nearly a quarter of Americans who die from this cause each year being in their 20s to 40s. The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have exacerbated this trend, with increased alcohol consumption, higher rates of obesity, and other health conditions contributing factors.
While the specific number of young adult deaths from alcohol each year was not readily available, the cumulative evidence suggests a significant toll on this age group. The impact varies across states, with certain states experiencing higher rates of alcohol-related deaths and DUIs than others. Overall, alcohol misuse and its deadly consequences remain a pressing issue for public health officials and policymakers in the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2019, 2.6 million deaths were attributable to alcohol consumption worldwide. People aged 20-39 years had the highest proportion (13%) of alcohol-attributable deaths.
In the US, 95,000 people die from alcohol-related causes annually, with 68,000 of them being men. The death rate among young adults aged 18-24 was 0.5 per 100,000 people in 2019. About 4,000 deaths each year are among young people under 21.
Alcoholic liver disease is the leading cause of alcohol-related deaths, followed by acute alcohol poisoning, suicide, and chronic misuse. Alcohol also increases the risk of chronic diseases, mental health conditions, and social problems.
Binge drinking is the most common way that people drink alcohol excessively. Heavy episodic drinking is defined as consuming at least 60g of pure alcohol on one or more occasions in a month.
Alcohol consumption, even at low levels, can bring health risks. Most alcohol-related harms come from heavy episodic or continuous alcohol consumption. Alcohol plays a causal role in more than 200 diseases, injuries, and health conditions, including liver disease, heart disease, and cancer.
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